[Provided by Unicorn Builders]
[Provided by Unicorn Builders]

Unicorn Builders has launched an "AX Transformation CEO Program" with Yeungnam University of Science and Technology to support AI-driven workplace innovation at small and medium-sized enterprises in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the company announced Friday.

The program, which kicked off Tuesday, runs through Sept. 1, with sessions held every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. for a total of four sessions. Participation is free.

Eleven companies and organizations from manufacturing, healthcare, food, agriculture, software and food-and-beverage sectors are taking part.

Participating firms submitted their on-site challenges, available data and expected outcomes through a preliminary assessment. Based on those submissions, organizers formed three working groups: data and operations AI transformation, manufacturing and product technology AI transformation, and marketing and content AI transformation.

The data and operations group covers document collection, report and KPI writing, and the automation of customer, contract and license management. Kwon Sun-hun, CEO and research director of TMC Convergence, serves as its lead mentor.

The manufacturing and product technology group focuses on production and quality analysis, R&D and prototype standardization, and equipment technical support. Lee Tae-seok, CEO of Unicorn Builders, serves as its overall mentor.

The marketing and content group handles proposal and promotional content creation, converting data into customer-facing content, and linking food-and-beverage store data. Seo Yong-un, an adjunct professor at Keimyung University, serves as its lead mentor.

Tasks identified through the program will be reviewed for specificity, data availability, feasibility and departmental fit before being linked to capstone design projects at relevant departments of Yeungnam University of Science and Technology. The goal is to develop companies' on-site problems into tangible outputs — including proposed solutions, prototypes and operational improvement roadmaps.

"The significance lies not just in teaching small and medium-sized enterprises about AI, but in helping them turn their real workplace challenges into actionable AI transformation tasks together with universities and experts," Lee said. "It will help companies improve operational efficiency and drive innovation in production, quality and customer management, while also strengthening students' practical skills."

A Yeungnam University of Science and Technology official said the key was moving beyond simply teaching companies about AI to precisely defining their actual on-site problems and connecting them with the university's academic expertise. "We will provide companies with actionable improvement plans and give students live industry projects," the official said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com